Window deco film and method of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

A method of fabricating a window deco film includes forming a hard coating layer, forming a deco layer on the hard coating layer, forming a light-shielding layer on the deco layer, and forming an acryl-based coating layer on the hard coating layer before forming the deco layer, or on the light-shielding layer. The window deco film may have a remarkably reduced thickness, and thus an entire thickness of an image display device including a window substrate to which the window deco film is applied may be also reduced. Additionally, even when the window deco film is attached to a curved window substrate, a bubble may not be generated at a curved portion of the window substrate. A mura caused by a retardation or a phase difference due to the window deco film may be suppressed. Thus, the window deco film may have an improved transmittance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.15/700,771, filed on Sep. 11, 2017, which claims priority to and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0117873, filed on Sep.13, 2016, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present invention relates to a window deco film and a method offabricating the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an image display device such as an liquid crystal display (LCD)device or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, a windowsubstrate may be disposed at an outside of the image display device forprotecting a display panel. Recently, a touch screen or a touch panel isalso employed in the image display device to implement an informationinput or an information processing.

In the window substrate, a deco film including a company logo or abutton printed thereon may be adhered through an optical clear adhesive(OCA).

The deco film may include, e.g., a PET base film, a deco layer, alight-shielding layer, etc. The PET film normally has a large thicknessin range from 50 μm to 100 μm, and thus a thickness of the deco film maybe also excessively increased. Further, the PET film may cause a phasedifference to result in a mura when being employed in the display panel

Additionally, when the deco film is attached to a curved windowsubstrate which has been widely used, a bubble may be generated at acurved portion of the window substrate.

Accordingly, a deco film having a sufficient strength while reducing oravoiding the above-mentioned problems is needed.

For example, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1277727discloses a touch window deco film and a method of fabricating the same.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided awindow deco film which may have a thin-layered and light-weightedstructure and may not be involved with a PET base film.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided awindow deco film having enhanced optical properties.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod of fabricating the window deco film.

One or more of the above aspects of the present inventive concepts willbe achieved by one or more of the following features or characteristics:

(1) A window deco film, comprising: a hard coating layer; and a decolayer, a light-shielding layer and an acryl-based coating layer formedon the hard coating layer.

(2) The window deco film according to the above (1), wherein the windowdeco film is a substrate-less film.

(3) The window deco film according to the above (1), further comprisinga hairline layer.

(4) The window deco film according to the above (3), wherein thehairline layer, the deco layer and the light-shielding layer aresequentially stacked from the hard coating layer.

(5) The window deco film according to the above (1), wherein theacryl-based coating layer is disposed between the hard coating layer andthe deco layer, or on the light-shielding layer.

(6) The window deco film according to the above (1), further comprisinga first adhesive layer formed on one surface of the hard coating layer,wherein the deco layer, the light-shielding layer and the acryl-basedcoating layer are stacked on an opposite surface of the hard coatinglayer with respect to the one surface of the hard coating layer.

(7) The window deco film according to the above (6), further comprisinga window substrate attached to the hard coating layer through the firstadhesive layer, the window substrate including a display region and anon-display region around the display region.

(8) The window deco film according to the above (7), wherein the decolayer, the light-shielding layer and the acryl-based coating layer aredisposed at the non-display region.

(9) The window deco film according to the above (1), further comprisinga second adhesive layer, wherein the deco layer, the light-shieldinglayer and the acryl-based coating layer form a stacked structure, andthe second adhesive layer is formed on the stacked structure and thehard coating layer.

(10) The window deco film according to the above (9), further comprisinga touch panel attached to the second adhesive layer.

(11) A window comprising the window deco film according to any one ofthe above (1)-(10).

(12) An image display device comprising the window according to theabove (11).

(13) A method of fabricating a window deco film, comprising: forming ahard coating layer; forming a deco layer on the hard coating layer;forming a light-shielding layer on the deco layer; and forming anacryl-based coating layer on the hard coating layer before forming thedeco layer, or on the light-shielding layer.

(14) The method according to the above (13), further comprising forminga first adhesive layer on the hard coating layer.

(15) The method according to the above (14), wherein the first adhesivelayer is formed on one surface of the hard coating layer, and the decolayer, the light-shielding layer and the acryl-based coating layer areformed on an opposite surface with respect to the one surface of thehard coating layer.

(16) The method according to the above (15), further comprisingcombining a window substrate with the one surface of the hard coatinglayer by the first adhesive layer

(17) The method according to the above (13), further comprising forminga hairline layer on the hard coating layer before forming the decolayer.

(18) The method according to the above (13), wherein the acryl-basedcoating layer is formed on the light-shielding layer, further comprisingforming a second adhesive layer on the hard coating layer to fill a stepportion between the hard-coating layer and the acryl-based coatinglayer.

(19) The method according to claim 18, further comprising attaching atouch panel to the second adhesive layer.

The window deco film according to example embodiments as described abovemay have a remarkably reduced thickness, and thus an entire thickness ofan image display device including a window substrate to which the windowdeco film is applied may be also reduced.

Additionally, even when the window deco film is attached to a curvedwindow substrate, a bubble may not be generated at a curved portion ofthe window substrate.

In the window deco film according to example embodiments, a mura causedby a retardation or a phase difference due to the window deco film maybe suppressed. Thus, the window deco film may have an improvedtransmittance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating windowdeco films in accordance with example embodiments of the presentinventive concepts.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating methodsof fabricating window deco films in accordance with example embodimentsof the present inventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,are exaggerated for clarity. Also, in the drawings, the thickness ofsome layers and regions are exaggerated for the sake of brevity. It willbe understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, orsubstrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can bedirectly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent.

The size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily shown in thedrawings, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

According to example embodiments of the present inventive concepts, awindow deco film includes a hard coating layer, a deco layer, alight-shielding layer and an acryl-based coating layer is provided. Thewindow deco film may be applied to a window substrate so that an entirethickness of an image display device may be remarkably reduced. Thewindow deco film may be attached to a curved window substrate withoutgenerating a bubble at a curved portion of the window substrate, and mayhave improved optical properties. According to example embodiments ofthe present inventive concepts, a method of fabricating the window decofilm is also provided.

Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts will be provided with accompanying drawings. However, theseembodiments are only given for illustrating the present inventiveconcepts, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating windowdeco films in accordance with example embodiments of the presentinventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 1, the window deco film may include a hard coatinglayer 100, a deco layer 300, a light-shielding layer 400 and anacryl-based coating layer 500.

In example embodiments, the hard coating layer 100 may serve as a baselayer instead of an individual or additional substrate film.

In a conventional window deco film, a resin film such as a PET film maybe included as the substrate film for providing a substrate on which adeco film is formed. The substrate film normally has a thickness ofabout 50 μm to about 100 μm, and a thickness of the window deco filmincreases due to the substrate film. As the thickness of the window decofilm increases, bubbles may be generated when the window deco film isattached to a curved window substrate.

Further, the resin film such as the PET film may cause a retardation ora phase difference to cause a mura in a display device to which thewindow deco film is applied.

However, the window deco film according to the present inventiveconcepts may not include the substrate film, and may be a substantiallysubstrate-less film. As described above, the hard coating layer 100 maysubstantially serve as the base layer. Therefore, the window deco filmmay become thinner and lighter so that the bubbles and the retardationmay be prevented. Further, a transmittance of the window deco film maybe also enhanced.

The hard coating layer 100 may have a sufficient surface hardness toserve as the base layer. For example, the surface hardness of the hardcoating layer 100 may be 2H or more.

The hard coating layer 100 may include any material for implementing theabove surface hardness. For example, the hard coating layer 100 mayinclude or be formed of polyurethane terephthalate, an acryl-basedpolymer, a urethane acrylate-based monomer, a urethane acrylate-basedoligomer, etc.

The acrylate polymer may include a polymer of (meth)acrylate-basedmonomers. The (meth)acrylate-based monomer may include an unsaturatedgroup such as a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group, a styryl group, anallyl group, etc., in a molecule as a photo-curable functional group.Preferably, the (meth)acrylate-based monomer may include the(meth)acryloyl group as the photo-curable functional group.

Examples of the monomer having the (meth)acryloyl group may includeneopentyl glycol acrylate, 1,6-hexandiol (meth)acrylate, propyleneglycol di(meth) acrylate, triethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate,dipropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycoldi(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylol ethane tri(meth)acrylate,1,2,4-cyclohexane tetra(meth)acrylate, penta glycerol tri(meth)acrylate,pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate,dipentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolpenta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate,dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, tripentaerythritoltri(meth)acrylate, tripentaerythritol hexa tri(meth)acrylate,bis(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate di(meth)acrylate, hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate, isooctyl (meth) acrylate, iso-decyl (meth)acrylate,stearyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydro furfuryl(meth)acrylate, phenoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, isobomeol (meth)acrylate, etc. These may be used aloneor in a mixture thereof.

The urethane acrylate-based oligomer may be prepared from, e.g., anisocyanate compound, a polyol compound and an acrylate-based monomer.

Non-limiting examples of the isocyanate compound may include, e.g.,4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 2,6-toluene diisocyante (TDI),2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), tetramethyl-1,3-xylene diisocyanate(TMXDI), etc.

Non-limiting examples of the polyol compound may include, e.g., abisphenol-based compound such as Bisphenol A, Bisphenol F, methylenebis(4-hydroxyphenyl), etc., or an aromatic polyol compound such asresorcinol, dihydroxy naphthalene, dihydroxy biphenyl, dihydroxyphenylethanol, dihydroxy pyridine, dihydroxy quinazoline, dihydroxytetrahydronaphthalene, dihydroxy pyrimidine, etc.

An aliphatic polyol compound may be also used. Non-limiting examples ofthe aliphatic polyol compound may include a C2-C12 alkylene diol such as1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol,3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 2-methyl-1,8-octane diol,1,9-nonane diol, 1,10-decane diol, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol,1,3-cyclohexane dimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexane diol, 1,3-cyclohexane diol,tricyclohexane dimethanol, pentacyclopentadecane dimethanol,1,12-dodecane diol; a polyether diol such as polyethylene glycol,polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, polybutylene glycol,polyhexamethylene glycol, polyheptamethylene glycol, polydecamethyleneglycol, etc.

A thickness of the hard coating layer 100 may not be specificallylimited. For example, the thickness of the hard coating layer 100 may bein a range from about 1 μm to about 30 μm, preferably from about 7 μm toabout 30 μm. Within the above range, the window deco film may becomethinner and lighter while obtaining the improved hardness.

In example embodiments, the window deco film may include the deco film300 and the light-shielding layer 400 for implementing a decorationeffect.

The deco layer 300 may be configured to control transmittance orreflectivity, and a desired color may be demonstrated by the deco film300.

The deco layer 300 may be formed by a deposition process. The deco layer300 may be formed of a metal such as indium, chromium, tin, etc. Thesemay be used alone or in a combination thereof.

For example, a thickness of the deco layer 300 may be about 1 μm orless, preferably, in a range from about 100 nm to about 1 μm. Within theabove range, an aesthetic property of the window deco film may beimproved in a small thickness.

The light-shielding layer 400 may be formed of a material having alight-shielding color so that, e.g., a lower portion of the deco layer300 may not be visually observed.

The light-shielding layer may be, e.g., a printed layer such as a screenprinted layer.

For example, a thickness of the light-shielding layer 400 may be in arange from about 5 μm to about 30 μm, preferably, in a range from about15 μm to about 30 μm. Within the above range, the thickness of the decolayer 300 may be decreased so that the window deco film may becomethinner and lighter.

In example embodiments, the deco layer 300 and the light-shielding layer400 may be sequentially formed from the hard coating layer. For example,the deco layer 300 and the light-shielding layer 400 may be sequentiallystacked from a viewer side.

In example embodiments, the window deco film may further include ahairline layer 200 for facilitating a deco effect.

The hairline layer 200 may be designed as any pattern. An incident lightto the hairline layer 200 may be diffused so that a light having aspecific frequency may reach a view's eye to demonstrate a specificcolor. For example, a metallic texture may be provided by the hairlinelayer 200 together with the color.

For example, the hairline layer 200 may be formed as a pattern bycoating a UV-curable resin and curing the same.

The UV-curable resin may be formed from at least one oligomer selectedfrom, e.g., urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate or epoxy acrylate,and/or at least one monomer selected from, e.g., ethylhexyl acrylate,hydroxyalkyl acrylate, carboxylethyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate,tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, acryloyl morpholine, butanediol diacrylate,hexanediol diacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycoldiacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate,trimethylol propane triacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate or glycerylpropoxylated triacrylate.

For example, a thickness of the hairline layer 200 may be in a rangefrom about 1 μm to about 20 μm, preferably, in a range from about 5 μmto about 20 μm. Within the above range, an aesthetic property of thewindow deco film may be improved in a small thickness.

In example embodiments, the hairline layer 200, the deco layer 300 andthe light-shielding layer 400 may be sequentially stacked based on aviewer side.

As described above, a substrate film used in a conventional window decofilm is normally in a range from about 50 μm to about 100 μm. However,according to example embodiments of the present inventive concepts, thehard coating layer 100 having a significantly reduced thickness mayreplace the substrate film. In example embodiments, a hardness of thewindow deco film which may be reduced due to an omission of thesubstrate film may be improved or compensated by the acryl based coatinglayer 500.

The acryl-based coating layer 500 may provide a resistance with respectto a pressure, a heat, etc., which may be imposed when the window decofilm may be attached to a touch panel. For example, the pressure may beabout 5 kgf, and the temperature may be about 50° C.

An acryl-based resin may be used for forming the acryl-based coatinglayer 500 without a particular limitation. For example, the acryl-basedcoating layer may be formed from an urethane acrylate-based oligomer, a(meth)acrylate-based monomer, etc.

The urethane acrylate-based oligomer may include the compounds asdescribed above.

The (meth)acrylate-based monomer may include an unsaturated group suchas a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group, a styryl group, an allylgroup, etc., in a molecule as a photo-curable functional group.Preferably, the (meth)acrylate-based monomer may include the(meth)acryloyl group as the photo-curable functional group.

Examples of the monomer having the (meth)acryloyl group may includeneopentyl glycol acrylate, 1,6-hexandiol (meth)acrylate, propyleneglycol di(meth) acrylate, triethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate,dipropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycoldi(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylol ethane tri(meth)acrylate,1,2,4-cyclohexane tetra(meth)acrylate, pentaglycerol tri(meth)acrylate,pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate,dipentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolpenta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate,dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, tripentaerythritoltri(meth)acrylate, tripentaerythritol hexatri(meth)acrylate,bis(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate di(meth)acrylate, hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate, isooctyl (meth)acrylate, iso-decyl (meth)acrylate,stearyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydro furfuryl(meth)acrylate, phenoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, isoborneol (meth)acrylate, etc. These may be used aloneor in a mixture thereof.

For example, a thickness of the acryl-based coating 500 may be in arange from about 1 μm to about 50 μm, preferably, in a range from about5 μm to about 20 μm. Within the above range, the window deco film maybecome thinner and lighter while obtaining improved hardness anddurability.

The window deco film according to the present inventive concepts may beattached to a window substrate that may include a display region and anon-display region surrounding the display region.

The display region and the non-display region of the window substratemay correspond to a display region and a non-display region of a displaydevice, respectively.

In the window deco film, the hard coating layer 100 may be disposed atthe display region and the non-display region so that the window decofilm may entirely enhanced hardness. The hairline layer 200, the decolayer 300, the light-shielding layer 400 and the acryl-based coatinglayer 500 may be disposed at the non-display region.

For example, the hard coating layer 100, the hairline layer 200, thedeco layer 300, the light-shielding layer 400 and the acryl-basedcoating layer 500 may be sequentially stacked from the viewer side.Alternatively, the hard coating layer 100, the acryl-based coating layer500, the hairline layer 200, the deco layer 300 and the light-shieldinglayer 400 may be sequentially stacked from the viewer side.

Referring to FIG. 2, the window deco film may further include a firstadhesive layer 600 through which the window deco film may be attached tothe window substrate.

The first adhesive layer 600 may be disposed on a top surface of thehard coating layer 100.

The first adhesive layer may include an optical clearance adhesive(OCA), a photo-curable adhesive or a thermally curable adhesive.

For example, a thickness of the first adhesive layer 600 may be in arange from about 5 μm to about 30 μm, preferably, in a range from about10 μm to about 25 μm. Within the above range, the window deco film maybecome thinner while obtaining sufficient adhesion and durability.

In some embodiments, a touch panel may be attached toward a lowerportion of the window deco film. In this case, the widow deco film mayfurther include a second adhesive layer 700 for an attachment of thetouch panel.

If the hairline layer 200, the deco layer 300, the light-shielding layer400 and the acryl-based coating layer 500 are disposed at thenon-display region, a step portion may be created at the lower portionof the window deco film. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second adhesivelayer 700 may be formed on a bottom surface of the hard coating layer100 to cover or remove the step portion.

The window deco film may further include the touch panel (notillustrated) attached to the second adhesive layer 700.

According to example embodiments of the present inventive concepts, awindow including the window deco film may be provided.

The window may include a window substrate and the window deco filmattached thereto.

The window substrate may be formed of at least one from glass,polyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI),polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide, polycarbonate(PC), cellulose triacetate (TAC) or cellulose acetate propionate (CAP).The window substrate may include, preferably, a glass substrate.

According to example embodiments of the present inventive concepts, animage display device including the window substrate may be provided.

The window substrate may be applied to, e.g., a liquid crystal displaydevice, a electroluminescent display device, a plasma display device, afield emission display device, etc.

According to example embodiments of the present inventive concepts, amethod of fabricating the window deco film may be provided.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating methodsof fabricating window deco films in accordance with example embodimentsof the present inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hard coating layer 100 may be formed. The hardcoating layer 100 may be formed by coating a hard coating layercomposition and curing the same.

The hard coating layer composition may be coated by a slit coating, aknife coating, a spin coating, a casting, a micro gravure coating, agravure coating, a bar coating, a roll coating, a wire-bar coating, adip coating, a spray coating, a screen printing, a gravure printing, aflexo printing, an offset printing, an ink-jet coating, a dispenserprinting, a nozzle coating, a capillary coating, or the like.

A surface hardness of the hard coating layer 100 may be at least 2H, andthe hard coating layer composition may include, e.g., polyurethaneterephthalate, an acryl-based polymer, an urethane acrylate-basedmonomer, an urethane acrylate-based oligomer, etc., as mentioned above.

The hard coating layer composition may further include an additive suchas an initiator, a silane coupling agent, etc.

The initiator may include a photo-radical initiator such as benzoin,benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether,benzoin-n-butyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether, acetophenone, hydroxyldimethyl acetophenone, dimethylamino acetophenone, dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, 3-methyl acetophenone, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, 2,2-diethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone, 4-chlorolocetophenone,4,4-dimethoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one,4-hydroxy cyclophenyl ketone, 1-hydroxyl cyclohexyl phenyl ketone,2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio) phenyl]-2-morpholino-propan-1-one,4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl-2-(hydroxy-2-propyl) ketone, benzophenone,p-phenylbenzophenone, 4,4-diamino benzophenone, 4,4′-diethylaminobenzophenone, dichlorobenzophenone, anthraquinone, 2-methylanthraquinone, 2-ethyl anthraquinone, 2-t-butyl anthraquinone, 2-aminoanthraquinone, 2-methyl thioxanthone, 2-ethyl thioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2,4-dimethyl thioxanthone, 2,4-diethyl thioxanthone,benzyl dimethyl ketal, diphenyl ketone benzyldimethyl ketal,acetophenone dimethyl ketal, p-dimethyl amino benzoic acid ester,2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl-phosphine oxide, fluorene,triphenylamine, carbazole, etc. These may be used alone or in acombination thereof.

The initiator may include a thermal polymerization initiator such ashydrogen peroxide; peroxodisulfate such as ammonium peroxodisulfate,sodium peroxodisulfate or potassium peroxodisulfate; an azo compoundsuch as 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dichloride, 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), 2,2′-azobis isobutyronitrile, 2,2′-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile); an organic peroxide such asbenzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, peracetic acid, persuccinic acid,di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, etc.These may be used alone or in a combination thereof.

For example, the hard coating layer composition may include polyurethaneterephthalate in a range from about 90 wt % to about 95 wt %, theacryl-based polymer in a range from about 0.5 wt % to about 6 wt %, theurethane acrylate-based monomer and oligomer in a range from about 0.5to about 5 wt %, and the initiator in a range from about 0.5 to about 5wt %, based on a total weight of the composition.

The hard coating layer composition may be cured by a photo-curingprocess or a thermal curing process (e.g., at about 60° C.) to have athickness as mentioned above.

Subsequently, the deco layer 300 may be formed on the hard coating layer100. In some embodiments, the hairline layer 200 may be formed on thehard coating layer 100 before forming the deco layer 300.

For example, the deco layer 300 may be formed by depositing a metal asdescribed above on the hairline layer 200 to have the above-mentionedthickness.

In some embodiments, the deco layer 300 may be formed directly on thehard coating layer 100.

For example, the hairline layer 200 may be formed by coating aUV-curable composition on the hard coating layer 100 as a pattern shapeand curing the same.

The hairline 200 may be formed to have the thickness as described above.

Subsequently, the light-shielding layer 400 may be formed on the decolayer 300.

The light-shielding layer 400 may be formed by, e.g., by a slit coating,a knife coating, a spin coating, a casting, a micro gravure coating, agravure coating, a bar coating, a roll coating, a wire-bar coating, adip coating, a spray coating, a screen printing, a gravure printing, aflexo printing, an offset printing, an ink-jet coating, a dispenserprinting, a nozzle coating, a capillary coating, or the like. In animplementation, the light-shielding layer 400 may be formed by thescreen printing.

The light-shielding layer 400 may be formed to have the above-mentionedthickness.

In example embodiments, the acryl-based coating layer 500 may be furtherformed.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the acryl-based coating layer 500 may beformed on the light-shielding layer 400 after forming thelight-shielding layer 400. However, the acryl-based coating layer 500may be formed on the hard coating layer 100 before forming the hairlinelayer 200. In this case, the hairline layer 200 may be formed on theacryl-based coating layer 500.

The acryl-based coating layer 500 may be formed by coating anacryl-based coating composition and curing the same.

The acryl-based coating composition may include, e.g., an urethaneacrylate-based oligomer, a (meth)acrylate-based monomer, etc., and mayfurther include an additive such as an initiator, a coupling agent,etc., as described above.

For example, the acryl-based coating composition may include theurethane acrylate-based oligomer in a range from about 30 wt % to about60 wt %, the acrylate-based monomer in a range from about 30 wt % toabout 60 wt %, and the initiator in a range from about 1 wt % to about 5wt %, based on a total weight of the composition. In an implementation,the acryl-based coating composition may include the urethaneacrylate-based oligomer in a range from about 35 wt % to about 55 wt %,the acrylate-based monomer in a range from about 35 wt % to about 55 wt%, and the initiator in a range from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt %

The acryl-based coating composition may be cured by, e.g., aphoto-curing process or a thermal curing process well known in therelated art.

For example, the acryl-based coating composition may be cured by thephoto-curing process using UVB.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first adhesive layer 600 may be formed on thehard coating layer 100 for combining a window substrate. For example,the hard coating layer 100 may be formed on a surface of the firstadhesive layer 600 for a process convenience.

In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer 600 may be formed on onesurface of the hard coating layer 100, and the hairline layer 200, thedeco layer 300, the light-shielding layer 400 and the acryl-basedcoating layer 500 may be formed on an opposite surface facing the onesurface of the hard coating layer 100.

The first adhesive layer 600 may be formed of an OCA, or may be formedas a photo-curable or thermally curable adhesive layer.

For example, the first adhesive layer 600 may be formed to have thethickness as described above.

In example embodiments, the hard coating layer 100 may be formedthroughout the display region and the non-display region so that theentire window deco film may have improved hardness. The hairline layer200, the deco layer 300, the light-shielding layer 400 and theacryl-based coating layer 500 may be formed at the non-display region,

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second adhesive layer 700 may be furtherformed so that a touch panel may be attached to a lower portion of thewindow deco film.

The second adhesive layer 700 may be formed on a surface of the hardcoating layer 100 which may be opposite to a surface of the hard coatinglayer 100 on which the first adhesive layer 600 is formed.

A step portion generated by the deco layer 300, the acryl-based coatinglayer 500, or the like, may be reduced or removed by the second adhesivelayer 700 formed on the hard coating layer 100.

According to example embodiments of the present inventive concepts, amethod of fabricating a window is provided.

In the method, the window deco film may be prepared as described above,and then a window substrate may be attached to a surface of the firstadhesive layer 600.

The window substrate may be formed of at least one from glass,polyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI),polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide, polycarbonate(PC), cellulose triacetate (TAC) or cellulose acetate propionate (CAP).

Additionally, a touch panel may be attached to the second adhesive layer700.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are proposed to more concretelydescribe the present invention. However, the following examples are onlygiven for illustrating the present invention and those skilled in theart will obviously understand that various alterations and modificationsare possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Suchalterations and modifications are duly included in the appended claims.

Example 1

A hard coating composition including polyurethane terephthalate wascoated on an OCA layer (a first adhesive layer) having a thickness of 7μm and thermally cured to form a hard coating layer having a thicknessof 7 μm. A hairline layer having a thickness of 15 μm was formed on aregion corresponding to a non-display region of the hard coating layer.A metal including indium, chrome, tin, etc., was deposited on thehairline layer to form a deco layer having a thickness of 1 μm. Alight-shielding layer having a thickness of 15 μm was formed on the decolayer by a screen printing, and then an acryl-based coating layer havinga thickness of 15 μm was formed on the light-shielding layer using aurethane acrylate oligomer composition. Subsequently, an OCA layer (asecond adhesive layer) having a thickness of 100 μm was attached to thehard coating layer to cover a step portion between the hard coatinglayer and the acryl-based coating layer.

Example 2

Processes the same as those of Example 1 were performed except that theacryl-based coating layer was formed on the hard coating layer beforeforming the hairline layer.

Comparative Example 1

An OCA layer having a thickness of 25 μm and a PET film having athickness of 50 μm were attached to each other, and then the hairlinelayer, the deco layer and the light-shielding layer were formed on thePET film as described in Example 1. Subsequently, an OCA layer havingthe same thickness was attached to the PET film.

Comparative Example 2

Processes the same as those of Example 1 were performed except that theacryl-based coating layer was omitted.

Experimental Example

1. Measuring Thickness

Thicknesses of the window deco films according to Examples andComparative Examples except for the OCA layers were measured.

2. Evaluation of Bubble Generation

A bubble generation was visually inspected while the window deco filmsof Examples and Comparative Examples were attached to a window substrate(a glass having a thickness of 0.4t) under a three wavelength lamp.

3. Evaluation of Mura Generation

A mura generation was visually inspected while the window deco films ofExamples and Comparative Examples were attached to a window substrate (aglass having a thickness of 0.4t) under a three wavelength lamp.

4. Evaluation of Crack Generation from Pressure

If a hardness of the acryl-based coating layer is insufficient, crack ordentation of the deco layer may be caused in a step portion when a lowersubstrate is combined. In this respect, a substrate was combined to alower portion of the second adhesive layer included in the window decofilm of each Example and Comparative Example by a pressure of 5 kgf, andthe crack generation was observed after an autoclaving.

The results from the Experimental Example were listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Thickness Bubble Mura Crack (μm) Generation GenerationGeneration Example 1 53 X X X Example 2 53 X X X Comparative 81 ◯ ◯ XExample 1 Comparative 38 X X ◯ Example 2

Referring to Table 1, the window deco films according to Examples hadthicknesses smaller than those of the window deco films according toComparative Examples, and bubbles were not caused in the window decofilms according to Examples while being attached to the windowsubstrate. Further, the window deco films according to Examples did notinclude PET base films, and thus had substantially zero retardation tobe free of the mura.

However, the mura and bubbles were caused in the window deco filmsaccording to Comparative Examples, and did not include the acryl-basedcoating layer to result in cracks when being attached to the lowersubstrate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of fabricating a window deco film,comprising: forming a hard coating layer; forming a deco layer on thehard coating layer; forming a light-shielding layer on the deco layer;and forming an acryl-based coating layer on the hard coating layerbefore forming the deco layer, or on the light-shielding layer.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising forming a first adhesivelayer on the hard coating layer.
 3. The method according to claim 2,wherein the first adhesive layer is formed on one surface of the hardcoating layer, and the deco layer, the light-shielding layer and theacryl-based coating layer are formed on an opposite surface with respectto the one surface of the hard coating layer.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, further comprising combining a window substrate with the onesurface of the hard coating layer by the first adhesive layer.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising forming a hairline layeron the hard coating layer before forming the deco layer.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the acryl-based coating layer is formed onthe light-shielding layer; and the method further comprises forming asecond adhesive layer on the hard coating layer to fill a step portionbetween the hard-coating layer and the acryl-based coating layer.
 7. Themethod according to claim 6, further comprising attaching a touch panelto the second adhesive layer.